Vivian Xie_Experience Studio: Experiential Learning Design

MY EXPERIENCE AS A PARTICIPANT

(WhalesBot Noodle Press Machine)

My Experience As a STEAM Workshop Participant (Oct 12)

This weekend, I attended a STEAM workshop designed for kindergarten children. Although the age group was slightly younger than my project’s target, and the course was simplified in design and technology, I learned a lot from it. The workshop used WhaleBot educational building blocks to teach kids to create an automatic noodle press machine, using building blocks, motors and a low-code programming pen.

Prepare

Build

Program

Compile

Why I Chose to Attend This Workshop

I was particularly interested in the use of WhaleBot. WhalesBot is an educational tool that combines modular building blocks with motors, allowing children to create functional machines while learning basic programming through a non-electronic template. It’s designed to engage children in STEAM learning with simple yet powerful tools.

Figure: Teacher is teaching kids to use WhaleBot to build an automatic noodle press in the classroom. The room is arranged with neatly organized tables and chairs, and the children are focused on hands-on activities.

During the workshop, children used WhaleBot building blocks to create an automatic noodle press. The session began with the instructor setting a playful and imaginative context: “Do you like noodles?” “Imagine we’re opening a noodle shop. Who would you make noodles for?” These questions quickly captivated the children’s attention and enthusiasm.

With a small group size, the instructor was able to provide personalized guidance. She posed guiding questions such as, “These two gears need to mesh together to turn. How do we make them fit?” Her patience was evident as she supported the children through trial and error, never reprimanding them for mistakes. Instead, she used a reward system to motivate the children to work efficiently and effectively.

At the end of the workshop, the instructor organized a sharing session where the children invited their parents to view their noodle presses and discuss the programming they implemented. This approach not only boosted the children’s confidence but also enhanced parental understanding and support for STEAM education.

Throughout the workshop, I felt inspired by the children’s ability to learn and create in a fun and supportive environment. Observing their engagement reinforced the importance of effective teaching methods in fostering a love for STEAM subjects.

noodle_press.mp4

Video: Completed automatic noodle presses on display.

Evaluation

Parts of the Session That Went Well

Contextual Setting and Guidance:
The instructor effectively used storytelling to create an engaging context for the activity. This approach aligns with the situational teaching method discussed in course materials, demonstrating its effectiveness in capturing young learners' attention and fostering enthusiasm.
Personalized Guidance:
The small class size allowed the instructor to offer individualized support, ensuring that each child could keep up with the activity and grasp fundamental concepts. This practice reflects the principles of differentiated instruction, which emphasizes catering to diverse learning needs to enhance overall learning outcomes.
Hands-On Practice and Application:
By building the automatic noodle press, children applied theoretical knowledge in a practical setting, reinforcing their understanding and retention. This method is consistent with constructivist learning theory, which advocates for learning through active, hands-on experiences.

Areas for Redesign to Enhance Learner Engagement

Parental Involvement:
Although a sharing session was included at the end, the lack of parental participation during the workshop may limit parents' understanding and support of their children’s learning processes. To address this, future workshops could incorporate brief periods where parents observe the activities in real-time or provide a live feedback system that keeps parents informed about their child's progress throughout the session.
Diversification of Learning Materials:
The workshop primarily focused on using WhaleBot building blocks. While effective, introducing a wider variety of materials and tools, such as different types of sensors or additional programming modules, could cater to varying interests and needs among the children. This diversification would further deepen and broaden the learning experience, making it more inclusive and comprehensive.

Insights and Inspirations for My Own Course Project

Observing this workshop highlighted the significance of contextual teaching methods and personalized guidance in early childhood STEAM education. I plan to incorporate more engaging stories and scenarios into my course project to spark children's interest and make learning more relatable. Additionally, recognizing the value of individualized support, I will design activities that offer multiple levels of challenge to accommodate different learning paces and abilities.

The successful use of WhaleBot in this workshop has inspired me to integrate similar modular building and programming tools into my project. This approach will allow children to explore complex STEAM concepts through hands-on creation and experimentation. Furthermore, witnessing the instructor’s patience and encouragement emphasized the importance of fostering a supportive and motivating learning environment. I aim to cultivate such an environment in my own teaching practices to help children thrive in their explorations and creative endeavors.

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